PINK LADIES IN BREAST CANCER TRIBUTE AT WILLOWBANK THIS WEEKEND
21 October 2010
One Hundred Pink Ladies will look over Queensland’s premier drag strip, Willowbank Raceway, this Saturday October 23.
The cut-outs are part of what is known as a ‘Mini Field of Women’ event, held by Bundamba drag racing grandmother and breast cancer survivor Terri Sander.
The event will be held in conjunction with the facilities regularly scheduled Test N Tune event for the day, with Sander’s Super Street ‘Mama’s Toy’ machine to be specially decked out in pink for the occasion.
‘Mini Field of Women’ events are designed to pay tribute to the women who have or have had breast cancer, with the silhouettes serving as a powerful reminder of the human reality behind the 36 women diagnosed with breast cancer every day in Australia, while spreading awareness of the projects the Breast Cancer Network of Australia undertake to assist those dealing with the illness.
“The Mini-Field of Women is all about paying tribute to those who have experienced breast cancer,” said Sander, who was only the fifth woman at the time to claim a prestigious Gold Christmas Tree at the Australian Nationals event when she won the SuperStreet eliminator at Willowbank in 2004, the year after her diagnosis.
“We also hope to spread the message that those who are suffering can find all the information they need to help them through their tough times from the Breast Cancer Network Australia, while taking gold coin donations and selling BCNA merchandise to assist in the continuing research efforts.
“Participants at the race meeting are also invited to write messages on the pink lady silhouettes if they would like to pay their respects to a loved one with breast cancer.
“I really want to just spread the awareness, as I feel if I hadn’t acted immediately seven years ago when I found that lump, I wouldn’t be here today living life and tearing it up on the drag strip – it is important that people know what to do and what to look for.”
The Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is the peak national organisation for Australians personally affected by breast cancer. BCNA aims to inform, empower, represent and link together people whose lives have been affected by breast cancer, while connecting more than 194 breast cancer member groups and over 28,000 individuals across the country. If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with breast cancer, please call Breast Cancer Network Australia on 1800 500 258 or visit www.bcna.org.au to order a free My Journey Kit.